About the New Zoning Code

Through another participatory public process, the Citywide Zoning Code (Vallejo Municipal Code Title 16) will be comprehensively re-written for the first time since 1980. The main reason for writing a new Zoning Code is to align this important set of day-to-day standards with the ideas and future direction expressed in General Plan 2040, and to incorporate standards already used in various Specific Plans. Goals for the new Zoning Code include the following:

Make investing in Vallejo easier through a clear expression of Vallejo’s vision and expectations for development in various areas of the city.

Provide a code that is clear, approachable, flexible, modern and easy to use.

Develop code that represents best practices and up to date approaches.

Remove obstacles to development that will improve the City’s image as a good place to live and do business.

Remove obstacles to high-quality development such as unnecessary or inefficient procedures and standards.

A brief overview of the reasons why the City is re-writing the Zoning Code, how zoning impacts you, and ways to get involved in the process, can be found here.

Zoning FAQs

What is Zoning? The City has prepared a handout answering this and other frequently asked questions on this topic, which can be found here.

Open Houses and Planning Commission Study Sessions

The new Zoning Code will include a series of Community Open Houses to solicit public input. Special meetings of the Planning Commission will be held as Study Sessions following each Open House. Meeting dates and times are posted on the Workshop page, as well as the Calendar.

Modules

Four modules of related provisions will be used:

Module 1: Terms and References

Land use definitions and classifications

Rules for measurement and Calculations

Module 2: Zoning Districts

Use regulations for each district

Development and design standards for districts

Module 3: Citywide and Special Regulations

Site design and standards such as parking, landscaping

Regulations for specific uses such as alcohol sales and adult uses

Module 4: Administrative Procedures and Permits

Application submission and review, public noticing, public hearings

Use Permits, Site Development Permits, Minor Exceptions, Etc.

Enforcement

Draft sections of the new Zoning Code will be available on the website and presented at community open houses and Planning Commission Study Sessions.

Zoning Code Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the Vallejo Zoning Code (Title 16) was previously prepared by Opticos, which provided an initial review of the of the current Vallejo Zoning Code. The Code Diagnosis Memo prepared by Opticos providing a summary and evaluation of the current Vallejo Zoning Code, can be found here.

Character Analysis

An analysis of the existing character of Vallejo focuses on both the macro-scale (i.e. residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, corridors, etc.) and the micro-scale (i.e. street character, building character and setbacks, etc.). The micro-scale analysis relates to the “walkable urban” areas of the City, which is the focus of a Form-Based Code that may be used in certain parts of the City. The process for the micro-scale analysis, including a preliminary generalized map of Vallejo’s walkable urban areas, can be found here.